FCA lays out research changes to boost investment into London markets November 5, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority has revealed a host of changes to investment research rules today in an attempt to enhance analysts’ coverage of smaller companies and boost investment into the stock market. A lack of investment research in the UK has been frequently cited as a key reason for declining investment in Britain over the [...]
Government ‘would breach fiscal rules with minor rate rise’ November 5, 2024 The Chancellor would be in breach of her own fiscal rules if interest rates remain just 30 basis points higher than the fiscal watchdog forecasts, Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) economists have said. Giving evidence to the Treasury Committee, OBR member Tom Josephs told MPs that his colleagues conducted analysis that found “a change of [...]
Hospitality bosses warn government tax hikes will hit investment November 5, 2024 According to reports, business leaders have warned the government that the tax rises announced in Labour’s Autumn budget will lead to a huge increase in costs and a fall in investment. The bosses of large retail and hospitality firms like Fuller’s, Greene King and Morrisons have warned business secretary Jonathan Reynolds that last week’s budget [...]
Why the Budget complicates life for the Bank of England November 5, 2024 Just when it seemed that inflation was finally coming under control, the government has announced a big increase in public spending.
Primark earnings jump despite weather hit November 5, 2024 Budget retailer Primark has seen annual earnings jump by more than 50 per cent in spite of an early summer weather hit to sales. Owner Associated British Foods reported a 53 per cent rise in operating profits at Primark, to £1.1 billion over the year to September 14 as groupwide like-for-like sales lifted 1.2 per [...]
Retail sales growth slumps in October as consumers remain cautious November 5, 2024 Retail sales growth dipped in October due to pre-election anxiety, the latest figures have shown. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG sales monitor, retail sales in the UK increased by 0.6 per cent year over year in October, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in October 2023. Food sales nudged up 2.9 per cent [...]
Workers’ rights package is ‘overdue and welcome’, says Ella’s Kitchen founder November 5, 2024 The government’s workers’ rights overhaul contains positive measures that will allow financially sustainable businesses to flourish, one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs has said, calling for proper consultation with businesses on changes to the probation period. Paul Lindley OBE, the founder of the UK’s largest baby food brand Ella’s Kitchen and a pioneer of the [...]
The NHS will soon cost more than the GDP of New Zealand November 5, 2024 Spending on health and social care will hit £200bn by the end of this parliament – more than the entire economy of New Zealand – as Britain heads towards being a £1.5 trillion state, says Emma Revell New Zealand sounds, by all accounts, like a pretty sweet country. For a start, it is one of [...]
No10 warned over risk of ‘killing off’ family-run firms November 4, 2024 Downing Street is attempting to weather a storm whipped up by entrepreneur James Dyson over changes to the inheritance tax treatment of family-run businesses. In an article in the Times, Dyson accused the government of “killing off family businesses, individual aspiration and economic growth” with their approach to death duties in the Budget. The high-profile [...]
Reeves should be ‘thankful’ for avoiding Truss-style market crisis, analysts say November 4, 2024 Rachel Reeves should be “thankful” for avoiding the same fate as Liz Truss after the government's inaugural Budget triggered turmoil in the gilt market last week, analysts have said.